After 11 years in the professional yachting industry, Mike has gained valuable
experience cruising and chartering on both sides of the Atlantic, and Central
America. After originally serving in the South African Navy as a Submariner,
Mike followed his passion for sailing and ended up in Florida after competing
nationally and internationally in various sizes and classes of sail boats.
He then discovered the world of Megayachts where he has refined his skills and
gained in-depth experience while serving aboard renowned charter yachts such
as Victoria Won, Carmac VII and Katharine (two yachts).
The highlight of his career thus far was being awarded the Charter Captain of
the Year ’02, in Monaco. In his spare time Mike is an avid scuba diver (certified
divemaster), and is still a true sailor at heart. Mike holds a British MCA 3000 ton
captain’s license as well as International and South African Yachtmaster Ocean
certificates, and is a certified divemaster.
Brett grew up in an avid yachting family and has been involved with yachting and yacht racing ever since.
Competing in local events & sailing the notorious South African coastline led to participating in several
international events were he was introduced to the professional yachting industry. Although still passionate
about sailing he has focused on motor yachts and holds local South African and several International
qualifications. Brett enjoys water sports, hiking, cycling, traveling to remote places & adventuring.
Brett holds an International Yachtmaster certificate and is a certified divemaster.
Eric grew up boating on the south shore of Lake Erie, Ohio, USA. From there he attended the U.S. Merchant
Marine Academy at Kings Point, NY and graduated in 1994 with a Bachelor of Science in Marine Engineering
systems, a Merchant Marine Engineering license and a Commission in the U.S. Naval Reserve. Since then,
he has had 10 years of experience as an operational and maintenance Marine/Mechanical engineer onboard
various merchant, navy and private vessels as well as in power plants throughout the USA. Eric currently holds
a Chief Engineer license (limited to 3000 gt of any HP), a 2nd assistant engineer steam license, and maintains
his reserve status as a LT in the USNR. “Traveling from port to port aboard private yachts is the best way to
experience other places, people and cultures.”
Gillian was introduced to the yachting industry 5 years ago, having served on board various yachts as a
Stewardess, Cook and Mate. Having studied in both Management as well as the Tourism fields and working
in both the Restaurant and Guest Houses as Manager, Gillian has always enjoyed working with people and
learning and traveling that has brought her into the yachting industry.
After completing 2 ocean crossings and seeing the wonders of nature while traveling the world, she achieved
her Yachtmaster Offshore Certification, and through this broadened her knowledge of the yachting industry.
Gillian is always willing to learn and take on the challenges presented to her. In her spare time, Gillian enjoys
Scuba-diving, sailing, reading, walking and adventuring.
Prior to a two-year apprenticeship at Auberge du Soleil in Napa Valley California, George graduated in the top
ten percent from the California Culinary Academy in 1987. His culinary career has extended to top restaurants
such as Westwood Marquis Hotel and Gardens in Los Angeles, Flying Saucer in San Francisco as well as Aqua,
also in San Francisco. These experiences have proven invaluable. As Chef of Kahala Moon in Honolulu, Hawaii,
George lead it's staff in obtaining the honor of "Best New Restaurant, Hawaii", 1994. George has brought his
culinary expertise to yachting on charter yachts such as Charisma, Fifty-One, and Abbracci. While Chef aboard
Nadine, he gained recognition as a top finalist in the Chef du Concourse competition, Antigua Charter Boat
Show 1995. George is proficient in cuisine's such as French, Pacific Rim, and Italian while incorporating his own
flare to offer a memorable gastronomic experience to our guests aboard M/Y Seahawk.
While not creating wonderful edibles, George can be found checking the local markets, fishing, day sailing,
sightseeing or flipping through the latest Chef’s cookbook for new and exiting inspirations
Gavin grew up in Melbourne, on Australia’s southern coast, and has always been close to the water ever since.
Starting with windsurfers as a teenager he has moved through many different vessels including small sail
boats, traditional square rigged ships and power vessels on the Australian and Papua New Guinea coasts.
In 1998 Gavin worked for a boat delivery company, sailing vessels from the Caribbean back to Florida and
saw luxury yacht for the first time while fueling. His next goal was to work on this level of yacht. Moving to
Cairns, on the Great Barrier Reef, Gavin’s love for diving took off whilst skippering boats for Oceania Dive
and Mike Ball Dive. In 2004 Gavin moved to Florida to get into the luxury yacht industry and realize a long
term goal with the motor yacht Seahawk. As a divemaster in his free time, Gavin is likely to be found diving
with his camera in hand.
Jen grew up in the small town of Huron, Ohio on the south shore of Lake Erie. This is also where she met
her husband Eric, the engineer aboard Seahawk. In summers during college Jen worked for Neuman Boat Line
on a 100 ft+ evening cruiser. This ran back and forth to the Lake Erie Islands of Put-in-Bay and Kelly’s Island.
She also worked for South Shore Marine, a boat detailing company. She graduated from Bowling Green State
University with a degree in Fashion Merchandising, She then pursued her career by working for Gap Inc in Ohio
and then down to Florida. With her love of the sea and working with people she was offered a great opportunity
to work on yachts with her husband.
Tony grew up on the West Coast of Canada and has always loved the ocean and been drawn to the areas warm beaches and rugged beauty. Surfing has over the years deepened his passion for all things marine. After warm water surfing and acquiring the taste of travel, the leap to professional yachting was a natural progression. Last year, Tony returned from teaching English in Mexico with the Mexican military, and is sure to always remember the friendliness and warmth of the people. He hopes to pursue his traveling and career in yachting. Outside of yachting, he maintains a diverse range of hobbies and interests, of which painting and cycling are foremost.
Ilona grew up in Estonia on the Baltic Sea. That's why she now really appreciates the warm Floridian weather,
rich flora and fauna and the ocean. Life has been very generous to her with opportunities of traveling, learning
different languages and cultures. Ilona spent the last 4 years in France studying International tourism, skiing,
enjoying fine French cuisine, art and traveling all around Europe. She enjoys meeting different people and
exploring new things in life. She has quite a diverse background, from medicine to genecology. She is
fascinated by beauty and power of Nature. She finds her job on Seahawk to be the wonderful mixture of work
and pleasure and hopes to fulfill her childhood dreams: scuba-diving and surfing. So far her favorites are:
skiing, hiking, rollerblading and reading.
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